It’s one of the most unnerving things that can happen: your home has just been broken into and you don’t know exactly what to do. We’ve compiled a list of things that you should do in the event that your home is broken into so that you can be prepared if you ever have to face such a stressful event head-on.
Call the Police and Your Insurance Company
Even though you will likely not be in a business-like state of mind if you discover that your home has been broken into, taking care of the business of filing a police report and also making sure that your insurance company is made aware of loss is the most important thing you can do following a break-in. It’s a good idea to have an inventory of your belongings including pictures and descriptions, these will help the police potentially locate and return anything that’s been stolen and will also assist greatly when filing a claim with your insurance company. An important safety tip to remember, though: If you’re not in the house when you discover that it’s been broken into, DO NOT enter your home to call. If you are inside the house when you discover that theft has occurred, it’s a good idea not to touch anything so as not to taint evidence that the police may be able to use to potentially identify the perpetrators.
Clean up Visible Signs of a Break-In
Once a police report has been filed and you’ve begun the claims process with your insurance company, it’s time to clean up visible signs of the break-in. This will not only serve to make your home appear less vulnerable, but it’s a good first step in coming to terms with the break-in from an emotional standpoint. The sooner you can put things in your home back to where they should be, the sooner you can start feeling better and safer.
Take Steps to Increase the Security of Your Home
When the weaknesses in your home’s security have been exposed, it’s easy to figure out where upgrades should happen. From enhancing the locks on your home’s doors to adding locks on your windows to adding motion sensors, cameras and other security measures up to and including full security systems and monitoring, Advanced Lock and Security can help. We feature a full range of home security products, we’re certified by the Associated Locksmiths of America and we can provide a detailed plan personalized for you and your home designed to minimize the chance for break-ins in the future. Of course, the best possible time to begin the process of mitigating the potential for break-ins is before one has occurred, so give us a call or stop by today!
